Culturally Adapted Psychological Intervention for Bipolar Disorder in Pakistan

The purpose of the study is to test Feasibility RCT of the efficacy of a culturally adapted psychological intervention for Bipolar disorder in Pakistan

Primary Objectives :

• To determine effectiveness of educational intervention in terms of patient Satisfaction with overall care, knowledge and attitudes to bipolar disorder and medication adherence.
• To assess feasibility in terms of

• Recruitment
• Using instruments that will be used to assess recurrence rate in the main study (BDI, YMRS and obtaining prospective hospitalisation and medication data)
• acceptability of a culturally adapted bipolar group education package
• To allow 'fine tuning' of culturally adapted bipolar group education package (this will partly be achieved by using the SEMI at study entry)

The Participants will be recruited from psychiatric department of different hospitals.

They will be randomly divided into two groups; intervention group and treatment-as-usual group. A total of thirty six participants will be recruited in the pilot study and divided equally into two arms. This will ensure that, even after loss to follow-up, we will have at least 12 subjects per group for analysis (FDA guidance http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/5356fnl.pdf) .Randomization will be carried out by the on offsite statistician. This will provide a reliable geographically remote service. For intervention group twelve sessions of psychoeducation will be provided by trained research clinician during the period of three months. Patients in the treatment as usual (TAU) group will be given details of intervention at the end of the study and interested patients will be offered psychoeducation.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of DSM IV Bipolar disorder
• Currently stable (YMRS <8, BDI<12)
• Age 18 to 65 years.
• Participants engaged with the mental health services since last 6 months.
• Able to give written informed consent.
• Resident of trial catchments area
• Ability to speak Urdu /Punjabi

Exclusion criteria

• Substance or alcohol dependent (i.e., those who fulfill the criteria for dependence according to DSM IV criteria)
• Inability to engage fully in the psychotherapy (due to cognitive impairment)
• Actively suicidal
• Any major psychiatric illness other than bipolar disorder